Cabinet adopts resolution to help Uttarakhand people

The Punjab government on Monday assured flood victims and people of Uttarakhand of all help and assistance in the wake of the unprecedented natural calamity.

At an emergency meeting, the cabinet led by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal expressed condolences and solidarity with thousands of affected families and said the government and the people of the state would stand by them.

A unanimous resolution was passed expressing sorrow over the tragedy. The cabinet also appreciated the pro-active role of the army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other security forces, besides local residents of Uttarakhand, for showing courage in saving lives.

The meeting also lauded the contribution of the Punjab government and people of the state to help residents of Uttarakhand. The meeting also appreciated all officers and employees for discharging their duties in this hour of crisis with dedication and sincerity.

The meeting also appreciated the role of the departments of transport, police, and health and family welfare, besides members of the team deputed at Rishikesh comprising A Venu Parsad, Sumer Singh Gurjar, Khubi Ram and Kulwinder Singh. Apart from this, another team undertaking relief operations from Joshimath camp, including KS Pannu, Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, Rajdeep Singh and Kulbhushan, executed relief operations with commitment.

The meeting also lauded the contribution of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), besides several religious and social voluntary organisations which played a vanguard role.

All MLAs and MPs of the SAD-BJP have already decided to contribute one-month salary toward the calamity fund.

The cabinet also appreciated the concerted efforts of the chief minister, who cut short his foreign visit and reached Chandigarh to oversee the relief and rehabilitation operations and ensure the safe evacuation of pilgrims from Uttarakhand to Punjab.

The Punjab government also decided to grant Rs 3 crore each to rebuild Kedarnath temple, Badrinath temple and Gurdwara Hemkunt Sahib, besides Re 1 crore for the revamp of other infrastructure in Uttarakhand.